Lawyers From The United States

"Use common sense, stick to core values."

"We are all equal in the eyes of God. What is important is what we do as stewards and manage what we have to do. I think that’s the most important"

"Many women are afraid to take on challenges that comes their way and this will book will tell them, you can do it guys, you can do it gals. In other words, don't be afraid of taking on challenges. We can do many things that men can't do."

"... he wasn't going to look into whether the signature was a forgery, and I'm concerned about that, because this is the president ... If there are forgeries or forgers out there, I think we should investigate it ... Someone 22 years ago went back to the future and forged his signature when he was a Democrat ... knew he would become a Republican, become president 22 years later ... We can solve this problem for the American people ... Let's bring in a signature expert ... I just think that, rather than this drag out for weeks or months. Is it his? Is it not his? Does he like to draw? Doesn't he like to draw? Right? Like, let's just get an expert in here to tell us."

"For the mamas and grandmas who marched to make sure that women could control our own bodies: We are Not. Going. Back."

"Most people just want a fair shot—to afford healthcare, housing, education."

"We are in a good position to win the primary … because the coalition of people have shown up. They are excited."

"Motivated by my grandmother’s story, I always knew I wanted to serve others."

"I often tell the story of my grandmother, Sarah Daisy, who wanted to work for the federal government. She taped a piece of paper to the refrigerator to teach herself how to type in order to pass a Civil Service Exam, which included a typing test. She practiced every day and soon landed herself a job at the Pentagon—her dream job. I am so honored to be her legacy."

"This is our moment to leave Donald Trump where he belongs: in America’s past."

"For the ancestors who sat at lunch counters and made sure that we all had the right to vote: We are not. Going. Back."

"In every forum and nearly every case, children are impacted. They are impacted when their parents cannot parent due to drug and alcohol issues landing them in court, they are impacted when their needs were not met as children and they become involved in the juvenile justice system."

"“From both sides of my family, [there is] a very heavy emphasis on the importance of education, which is something that has really been the key to my ability to do what I’ve done … To take my education seriously, and to be able to go to college and beyond that has absolutely been foundational to my success.”"

"It is, however, enormously difficult to provide court and social services to these children and families when funding is minimal at best or non-existent at worst."

"Despite the efforts of many tribal judges and the good intentions of state courts, we find ourselves continually justifYing our existence and our skill sets."

"The assumption has been, throughout my entire career, that because I am not white that I am not fair or I am not neutral."

"I know that and can address those issues in a systematic way, recognizing that these families are complex systems and that the parents come to the court not solely borne out oftheir own difficulties and bad choices, but also out ofthe pattern of abuse and neglect that has been part oftheir family for generations."

"I know what that intergenerational trauma looks like and what the consequences are. If I have the ability in this position to give a voice to that story, I'm going to take it."

"I’m not afforded the presumption of neutrality or objectivity that my colleagues are — I have to prove that I am neutral or objective."

"There is no doubt in my mind and in my experience that the therapeutic approach benefits the individual, and therefore the community, far more."

"It really has been only recently that I've seen the judiciary recognize that and want to take a leadership role in that area. That's absolutely something that I think is a critical part of what a supreme court does and should be doing — in terms of talking about [this problem] and acknowledging that it exists, but also being a problem solver."

"Every single family in my years of tribal court work had a story to tell about that."

"It's part of my obligation that I do whatever possible in this position to encourage other people who are otherwise underrepresented — whether that's communities of color, first-generation college students, people from poor communities — to picture themselves in roles that have otherwise been closed to them."

"“I was raised to remember that I come from those who survived.”"

"“On both sides of my family, governments, other entities, really sought to wipe us out … My father really instilled in me the importance of recognizing that I came from people who persisted, people who were lucky enough to survive, and that my existence is dependent upon those people’s persistence and resilience.”"

"“I believe my role is to listen carefully, with neutrality and fairness, and to apply the law regardless of my personal, subjective beliefs.”"

"I'm not in this because I want to be in the history books as someone who was the first. That matters, and it matters to a lot of people. But what really matters to me is that I not be the last."

"I've had people say, ‘You don't look like a judge,’ and they've said that in lots of different ways. [But] I do look like a Supreme Court justice, because I am one."

"Every day there is something that makes me reflect that this is a historical appointment that is meaningful to other people."

"I don't know that there's ever been a drum group or those sounds in that building. But there are now, and I wanted to make a public statement that we're here — and that I belong there."

"I became really interested in how the law functions as this underpinning of our society and codifies the ways we interact with each other in ways that we don't even really think about."

"No one wants to see a child stay in foster care one minute longer than is absolutely necessary to ensure her safety."

"If Gov. [Jay] Inslee or the public doesn't embrace that, that's OK, but I can't pretend to be someone other than who I am."

"My view has been since the moment I decided to apply for this position, I'm going to be who I am."

"All children deserve stability and most agree that a child in foster care lacks stability."

"Sen. Tim Kaine held a conversation with a group of graduate University students and faculty members Friday at the Central Library of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library system. In an informal Q&A session, audience members asked about threats to federal research, the future of diversity, equity and inclusion at the University, potential shifts in the Democratic Party and more. According to Alexia Childress, event co-organizer and School of Medicine student, event co-organizer and Medicine student, the event was organized by several medical students in the wake of former University President Jim Ryan’s resignation. Many of those in attendance on Friday were from the School of Medicine, but there were faculty and staff from various other University departments and schools as well."

"America deserves a leader focused on solving problems, not someone who treats chaos and disruption as tools of governing. Instead of threatening government employees and the American public with even more mass layoffs and federal dysfunction, President Trump should come to the table and negotiate a funding bill that prevents health care premiums from skyrocketing for families and keeps the government operational. If President Trump truly cares about the American people, he will work with Congress to avoid a shutdown of his own making."

"I seek the help of all Virginians – regardless of party or region, race or religion – in keeping the promise of Virginia. Let us rise to the leadership example of Virginia’s first four hundred years. Let us affirm and carry forward our values of courage, opportunity and community. Let us remember that civility is not a sign of weakness – that cooperation and compromise are necessary for progress and for the sensible solutions we can all embrace to keep the promise of Virginia strong. Under God’s hand, we have thrived. If we stay faithful to our history, we will succeed. Let us work together. Let us begin."

"Virginians did not vote for this. Senator Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, and their sidekick, Abigail Spanberger, supported a government shutdown. They chose politics over people and left families wondering how they’ll pay their bills. At a time when Virginians need leadership, they chose to play games."

"Tim Kaine has a message of fiscal responsibility and generosity of spirit. That kind of message can sell anywhere."

"To those who serve in local governments: I pledge an administration that is a good partner with a focus on cooperation and collaboration. The people we serve are the same people you serve. When we work together, we serve them better."

"Noting that the Republicans currently hold the majority in the U.S. Senate, one audience member asked if there is anything Kaine can do on a federal level in response to the Department of Justice’s pressure on the University. Kaine said that it is “tough” to take direct, tangible action currently, but that he is working with Sen. Mark Warner to figure out ways, and that he is interested in communicating with members of the Republican Party."

"Childress and Vignesh Senthil — another event co-organizer and Medicine student — said they were both grateful Senator Kaine and his staff were able to participate in this conversation on such short notice. Senthil was additionally grateful for Kaine’s honesty about what he can and cannot accomplish as of now."

"And third, we recognize that our destiny is a shared destiny and that our commitment to community is a condition of our advancement. Our Virginia might not exist today were it not for the generosity extended to those first settlers by the native Virginia tribes living in this region. Without the hospitality of Chief Powhatan or the compassion of Pocahontas, those in Jamestown would have perished. Throughout Virginia’s history, we have succeeded only when we have welcomed all to the table of Thanksgiving."

"Second, we acknowledge that individual opportunity is the most powerful engine of progress. The first English settlers came as part of a commercial venture, the Virginia Company, seeking economic riches in the New World. Others came seeking the opportunity to worship as they pleased or to trade away an aristocracy of birth for an aristocracy of merit. When individuals have the opportunity to set their own purpose, and determine the bar for their own achievements, they are able to harness their God-given talents and ensure our economic and social success."

"That same sense of community is required of us today. We must include all Virginians in our efforts. We should continue to welcome newcomers to this Commonwealth and nation, just as Chief Powhatan did 400 years ago."

"Patrick Henry was sworn in here as the newly-formed Commonwealth’s first Governor in 1776 and, three years later, Thomas Jefferson followed in his footsteps. Henry and Jefferson stood here in the midst of a war raging on our country’s soil, a war that threatened the very existence of Virginia and our young nation. They stood here at a time, just as today, when Virginians serving freedom’s cause sacrificed their lives so that democracy could prevail over tyranny. They stood here proclaiming the Promise of Virginia, when the world around them doubted that the land of their vision would survive. Could Henry or Jefferson have imagined the powerful success of their democratic experiment, their beloved Virginia, as it appears today? As a people, we have come through storm after storm, working out the meaning of our own destiny and coming closer and closer to the Virginia ideal of equality that Jefferson articulated in America’s Declaration of Independence. As we stand here now, our hearts should be filled with the magnitude of the debt we owe to the generations of leaders – the celebrated and the unknown – who fought and worked to create our Commonwealth. The Promise of Virginia is bright today because of their efforts, and it is up to us to carry the work forward for future generations."

"I am humbled by the trust you have placed in me. With the support of God and my family, I pledge my energy and enthusiasm to the mission of serving this Commonwealth."

"First, we reaffirm the necessity of courage. This is the defining trait of those who came to Virginia aboard the Discovery, Godspeed and Susan Constant, landing just a few miles from this place at Jamestown Island in 1607. They knew that earlier efforts, by the Spanish and English, to establish settlements in this region had ended in disaster. But they crossed treacherous seas to arrive at a new world because they understood the need to do and to dare. Their survival and success depended upon bold leadership. We must be equally bold to tackle the challenges of our day."

"Our challenges today are different than those faced by the Jamestown settlers, or the first Virginia governors. But they require fidelity to the same values. We may not have new geographic worlds to discover, but there are still worlds of research and knowledge, of information and creativity, of commerce and service, of reconciliation and brotherhood, that await our exploration."